First ride today. size seems fine - no issues there (thanks folks). Unfortunately one of the bottle holder screws was cross threaded on arrival and promptly broke when I attempted to remove it to fit a cage. Not a huge issue but annoying.
Rode up the the Cat and Fiddle by way of a first test. The power is far more subtle than the Giant ebike that I rented at the weekend but I think that's probably a good thing. I still got a good workout but without going into the red much. I was a bit surprised to use 58% of the battery on a 13.25 mile ride (1650ft ascent). I was on "turbo mode" though.
I felt that I will need to adjust my riding style somewhat to get the best out of the bike.
Hi G3CWI,
Welcome to the 'Dark side'!
Glad the sizing worked out well for you.
I've only had mine (105 Groupset version) for a few weeks and it IS a bit of a step change from anything I've had before.....way above my 'payscale' but I think I like it (mostly)!
Sorry to hear about your bottle cage thread issue....annoying indeed. If just the bolt thread is mangled then that is easily replaced? But if the internal threads are knackered that is a bit more of an issue. I did this years ago to my favourite MTB but manged to carefully rethread a new bolt(+loctite thread-lock) back into the frame and it held firm ever after provided I didn't mess with it. Failing that....a good LBS can sometimes re-chase the thread if not too badly mangled OR (if necessary) drill it out and fit what I think is called a 'riv-nut' which effectively replaces the whole thing. I don't think it is an overly drama-filled, long or spendy job for them...(as long as they don't drill into the battery!
)...but others here will know all about it.
I had (have) a few small but annoying niggles too-I kind of expect it with a new bike-although, having said that, my online supplier did a mostly ok job with the 'pdi'
My shifters are a bit inexplicably 'rattly'-especially the r/h- which seems to plague quite a few Shimano 105 users......and I had to mess with the expansion bolt in the steerer tube to get it stay in place tightly enough to set up the headset properly. I am bit freaked out when it comes to how tight to do up things attached to carbon steerers/seatposts and eventually decided to invest in a torsion-beam torque spanner tool. It still worries me though!
I know, too, what you mean about charge/distance and adjusting your riding style to suit. Quoted ranges are a bit like 'claimed' mpg figures for new cars I think!
I have COPD and am very out of sorts physically so this bike seemed my best option for getting out and about again-(although I did keep my cheap / trusty 'Triban' road bike for days when I ever feel strong enough again.)
I need the 'Turbo' boost for hills and spend a fair amount of time on the mid setting too and realised I wasn't getting much more than 40-50 miles from a charge but I am trying to dial things back steadily to using 'green' where I can. It is improving. However I live on the edge of Dartmoor and the option of a half decent boost was the reason I bought it in the first place - so I have to accept that the juice is going to run out fairly quickly.
I do also appreciate the fact that it is very much 'assist' rather than 'press-and-go' so I can hopefully regain a little strength over time. Great that it looks AND rides like an (allbeit slightly heavier) full on road-bike too.
Hope you enjoy yours despite any niggles?
We are 'early adopters' after all.....but my philosophy has been 'if not now, then, WHEN?'
Good Luck
Keep us (and me) informed?
Best
widge
